Evalle and Storm Read online

  Storm spoke with confidence. “He is.”

  Standing straighter, Bidziil sounded more like a strong businessman. “Thank you for what you did. His death is killing me, but seeing him like that and now knowing someone really might have done that to him ... I will do anything and give you any resources to find them, but I have no idea where to start looking for dark majik.”

  Storm consoled, “I understand, but I do have the skills and gifts to figure it out. Also, I’m the most objective person here, because I have no connection to anyone. That means you’ll have to be open-minded as we narrow down potential suspects among your clan.”

  “How are we going to get someone to admit to being a ... ” Bidziil seemed at a loss for the right word.

  “Witch,” Evalle supplied, stepping over to enter the conversation, but keeping her comments just as quiet. “Lucky for you one of Storm’s gifts as a Skinwalker is his ability to tell if anyone is lying.”

  For that, she earned a glance from Storm followed by a wave of love that brushed her empathic sense.

  “No kidding?” Bidziil seemed more impressed than shocked. “That could wrap this up quickly if we can find suspects.”

  “Possibly,” Storm allowed. “After I meet with your security people, we’ll narrow the field by striking the easy names off the list starting with people like Nascha and Haloke.”

  Bidziil groaned. “Nascha will lose his mind if he realizes he’s suspected of using dark majik. Haloke will, too.”

  “I don’t really suspect your healers, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t been around someone learning from either of them that they turned away out of instinct.”

  “Huh. I hadn’t thought of that, Storm. Nascha has spent time teaching others how to use their inner strength to heal themselves, which he says is giving him a look at potential future medicine men, or women,” Bidziil added with a little smile in Evalle’s direction.

  Storm cautioned, “For now, let’s not allow anyone to realize they’re on the list, including Nascha and Haloke. That way, everyone will continue in their natural manner.”

  Sounding relieved, Bidziil said, “Thank you. This will go faster if I don’t have to waste time pacifying those two.”

  “I don’t want to upset the clan either,” Storm said then brought up something new. “By the way, I’d like our own car. We don’t have drivers at home, and I prefer the freedom to come and go as needed. I’m sure I can find my way around.”

  Stretching his neck, Bidziil stifled a yawn. “I’ll have one delivered to the parking space across the street.”

  Evalle looked past him to where three vehicles sat in a paved lot.

  Bidziil pointed toward a string of six attractive adobe-style structures dotting the curved path leading away from where they stood. He offered a business card to Evalle and told them, “That has the code to open the third villa. You’ll see the image of a gecko carved into the door. My contact information is on the flipside.”

  Evalle thanked him and made a mental note of the code. Storm would carry the bags, which left her to unlock the door.

  “You can have anything you need delivered,” Bidziil went on explaining. “We assign a staff member to each villa, so you have someone who becomes quickly familiar with your needs. When I assigned this unit and said no casino staff member was to visit without my approval, one of the young women working her way up the administrative side stepped up. She volunteered to be your rep to free me up from having to approve others.”

  Evalle kept catching the way this man spoke about his young people. She commented, “Sounds like you have a competent staff.”

  Bidziil gave a sad smile. “That’s the team attitude we work to foster among the young talent joining our organization. Adsila will deliver the keys for your vehicle in the next half hour unless that’s too late for you.”

  “No, we normally operate at night,” Storm replied, making it clear they ran on their own schedule. “If anything new comes up, let me know. I’m willing to meet whenever you call your people in.”

  His uncle sounded a little recharged. “I’m headed back to my office to check the schedule and see if the top level of my security team is available. I’ll let you know as soon as I bring them in.”

  “Sounds good.”

  When Storm turned to leave, Bidziil said, “Thank you both for coming out. I know you don’t think these are your people, Storm, but they’d welcome you the minute they know you’re Sani’s son. Many remember your father.”

  Turning back, Storm gave a curt, “You’re welcome.” Then he asked, “Do you remember my father?”

  Evalle cringed a little at the censure in Storm’s tone after these two seemed to be getting along, but he’d made it clear to her that he held his uncle’s ambitious plans responsible for the rift between brothers.

  Holding Storm’s gaze for a long time, Bidziil said in a wistful voice, “Yes, I do remember Sani, but mostly from when we were kids and as close as two brothers could be. For the record, I regret being an idiot when Sani left. We were young, passionate, and headstrong. Ten years later, I’d have handled our last meeting differently.”

  Evalle watched the byplay, fascinated at seeing this sliver of Storm’s history. Would his uncle’s admission open a door to allow these men at least a distant connection?

  Storm’s jaw muscle tensed. “It’s been thirty years. Why didn’t you reach out to him in all that time?”

  “I did.”

  “What?” Storm asked too quickly to hide his shock.

  Anger and disbelief spun off her mate in a flash wave, but that reaction meant Bidziil hadn’t lied, or Storm would have called him on it.

  Evalle wished Bidziil had waited to start this conversation at a better time than when they all stood in a parking lot.

  His uncle said, “I wrote letters. Sani called a few times. Our worlds were so far apart, but I offered to come see him. I asked again to see both of you when he told me you were born, but Sani said no, that he didn’t want me to get hurt in the jungle. Why he thought I couldn’t visit safely, I have no idea.”

  Evalle had a pretty good idea after meeting Storm’s evil mother, the Ashaninka witch doctor. Sani might have been a strong medicine man, but he hadn’t possessed Storm’s ability to detect her darkness or a threat to him and his child until too late.

  In the next moment, Storm’s anger backed down then shifted into frustration. “I know why my father said not to and he was right, but I don’t want to get into that discussion.”

  Bidziil lifted a hand. “I understand. I just wanted you to know I did care and still do.”

  When the silence turned brittle, Evalle asked, “Would you two like to talk at our unit?”

  Storm said nothing.

  She took that as a no.

  His uncle gave her a warm smile. “That’s kind of you, Evalle. I’d like to talk more, but there will be time after we get this nasty majik business sorted out. I just wanted Storm to know I do regret the mistakes I made thirty years ago.” Bidziil gave Storm a tentative look, one that suggested maybe—just maybe—things could be different.

  Storm said nothing one way or another.

  Stepping around to open his car door, Bidziil said, “Don’t hesitate to call for anything. Talk to you both later.”

  His uncle got in and the car drove off.

  Storm watched until it vanished around the end of the tall casino building, then turned to the path with a long sigh.

  Evalle fell into step and walked along quietly at first then had to get something off her chest. “Sorry if I put you on the spot back there by asking him to our villa.”

  “You didn’t. I just ... don’t know what to say to that man. I’ve been angry at him for a long time.”

  “Since your dad died?”

  Carrying the bags with little effort, Storm walked a few steps before answering. “Pretty much. Guess I wanted to blame everyone when he died, but the witch doctor was the only one responsible for killing him.”
r />   Evalle agreed a hundred percent after battling the crazy woman. “Does Bidziil know exactly what happened to your father?”

  “No. As you can tell by his reactions tonight, I’ve told him little about myself and our life with the Ashaninka.”

  “He sounded ... sincere.”

  “I know,” Storm said as if he’d just admitted a major sin.

  She laughed. “Why did that come out so glum?”

  He gave her a half-hearted smile. “Hearing his words makes it hard to hold onto a grudge I’ve nurtured for a long time. Makes me feel like a jerk for all the negative thoughts I’ve had about him.”

  She leaned over and kissed her mate.

  Storm cocked an eyebrow at her. “Not that I’m complaining, but what was that for?”

  Hoping to lift his spirits, Evalle said, “To let you know you’re not one. I wouldn’t be kissing you if you were.”

  Storm’s eyes darkened at that. “When I can unload this luggage, I’ll give you a proper thank-you kiss.”

  She no longer felt mixed emotions pouring off him, which hopefully meant he’d settled on being at peace for now. Thinking about Sonny, she asked, “Who would be performing dark majik here? Does the tribe have covens?”

  “No. At least, not normally. The tribe my father told me of does not support dark majik. I have to disagree with Bidziil on one point. These people may have cared for Sani, but they wouldn’t welcome me. The clan wouldn’t be happy to find a Skinwalker among them, which is synonymous with witch.”

  “Wait, do they think all witches are bad, that there’s no distinction between light and dark?”

  “Many do, but keep in mind I’m only speaking based on what my father shared about this clan. Still, I don’t think it’s much different in other tribal communities. They believe a witch can take the form of an animal and perform majik, thus the tie to a Skinwalker. If not, he or she would be a shaman or medicine man expected to heal the tribe.”

  She didn’t like that Storm wouldn’t be accepted here, but she understood. Every culture had its beliefs.

  Plus, Storm would point out that he was, after all, of demon blood. She’d remind him that small part had been buried beneath all the good.

  Storm continued, “I’m sure there’s more to their belief than what little I can tell you and things could’ve changed in all the years since my father lived here, but he spoke of customs passed down from one generation to the next. He said that while some had lost their way with drugs, alcohol, and other temptations, the majority of the Dine were peaceful people with good hearts.”

  While listening, she noted the emblem on each door. The first two buildings had a wolf and a bird that might be a roadrunner.

  The third southwestern-style villa painted an inviting sand color had a lizard image carved into the door.

  “Is that a gecko?” she asked.

  Storm slowed his stride and looked over. “Yes. The gecko, or Brother Lizard as it is also called, is considered by some a symbol of dreams and others a symbol of protection.”

  She liked how Storm shared little details without her asking, as if maybe just being here touched a place inside him. Reaching the door first, she punched numbers into a keypad lock and heard it snick open.

  Pushing the door open, she stepped into a stunning interior with terra-cotta floors that gave way to hardwood in an open floor plan. The place smelled of new leather and fresh paint. Cream-colored walls had been formed with soft corners around a fireplace and with shelves sculpted as part of the entire structure. All of it gave off a peaceful feeling with a sofa upholstered in tooled leather and a coffee table with a rich wood finish. Rugs appeared to be wool woven with geometric designs.

  Everything about this villa had a fresh and welcoming appeal.

  Storm walked past her, then paused as he swept a look around to the dining area between the great room and kitchen. With a glance at the stairway with an ornate black wrought-iron handrail, he said, “Looks like the master bedroom is up there.”

  Evalle hurried upstairs behind him and into the bedroom where a light-colored wood covered the wall behind a large bed on four thick legs. Each piece of wood furniture had a custom feel.

  He sat the bags down and crossed the space to check the window decorated with beautifully woven curtains one would expect in Arizona.

  Turning back, he sounded relieved. “I asked for blackout shades that permitted no light to enter.”

  “And they just ran out to get those?” She laughed. “I haven’t seen any major box store.” Who asked for specific window coverings?

  Not that she didn’t appreciate Storm’s thoughtfulness with her lethal reaction to the sun.

  Storm walked over to her. “You won’t see major department stores unless you go to the cities, sweetheart. Big-box stores would crush the Native-operated businesses. Casinos are normally very accommodating. The shades I asked for were nothing compared to what a high-rolling gambler would demand.” He cupped a hand around her neck and leaned down to kiss her ... and kiss her.

  She wrapped her arms around him, forgetting everything except being with Storm. He hooked her waist with an arm, pulling her close then ran his hand from her neck to cup her breast.

  Oh, yes. She gripped his hair and pulled him deeper into the kiss. His thumb brushed over her nipple pushing against her thin bra and shirt.

  His lips slowed until he gave her a soft finish. “Mercy.”

  He kissed her neck. “One of these days, it’s just going to be you, me, and ... ”

  She mumbled, “A night alone.”

  “No. A tent.”

  She groaned.

  He laughed. “You can’t get any more alone than out in the middle of nowhere in a tent.”

  Stepping back, she shook her head. “I want air conditioning and showers. In fact, I want that shower right now.”

  Chuckling, he lifted her bag and placed it on a suitcase stand then dropped his duffel beside it.

  As she dug out fresh clothes, Storm announced, “Go ahead. I want to see what we have to eat and drink before that woman arrives with the keys. That way I can tell her if we need anything now.”

  “Good thinking.” With everything she needed in hand, Evalle stepped into the bathroom. Her gaze went to the mirror as she emptied her pockets on the counter and unbuttoned her shirt.

  Storm wouldn’t be happy when he saw the lines crawling across her body. He’d have to wait until she finished showering to talk about it if she couldn’t put it off until tomorrow.

  He’d fall back on the only option he could offer ... to bond with her.

  Would that fix this problem?

  No one knew. Also, hurrying to perform the ceremony just to give her more power with no guarantee of her healing seemed to ruin the beauty of the true reason behind bonding.

  Plus, what if bonding didn’t fix her problem?

  She would have tied Storm’s energy to her corrupted power eternally.

  The word eternal scared her when she thought what it would mean for Storm.

  The doorbell dinged.

  Evalle buttoned her shirt quickly and backtracked from the bathroom to the top landing where she had a view of the door. This might only be about delivering the keys to their car. But if Bidziil needed her, she didn’t have time to shower.

  Storm opened the door to a twentyish woman who shared his skin tone, black hair, and sharp cheekbones of many Native people. Her beige blazer sported a distinctive tribal design on the cuff and dark pants with stylish boots. She had gray eyes instead of brown and her smile of straight teeth bumped up what would have been an average face to attractive.

  “Good evening, Mr. Tso. I’m Adsila. Our Mr. Tso asked that I deliver your car. It’s a maroon Yukon parked in the private lot for these units. I’ll be happy to show you where that is. Here are your keys.”

  Accepting them, Storm said, “Thank you. Your boss pointed out the lot.”

  When the young woman smiled again, Evalle felt for her.

&nbs
p; The smile lacked any joy. Her facial muscles were probably on auto-drive by this time of night if she worked in the casino offices and had been up all day. Bidziil had spoken as if she’d agreed to be the go-to person for this villa in addition to her standard duties.

  Bidziil had to be doing something right to garner that level of commitment to a job.

  “You’re welcome,” Adsila said. “Is there anything else I can bring you and ... ” The woman’s gaze lifted to Evalle. “Your wife?”

  Storm told her, “No, thanks. We’re good.”

  With her smile still in place, the woman said, “Very good. Just call the front desk and they’ll find me immediately if you do require anything additional. Also, Mr. Tso asked that you give him a call.”

  Storm tipped her and closed the door as she stepped away. Looking at Evalle, he said, “Give me a minute to call my uncle.”

  Evalle had been right to hold off showering.

  When Storm finished the brief conversation, he gave her the bottom line. “Bidziil has three security people he’d like me to meet. Do you want to go?”

  The shower called to her plus she could think of nothing her presence would add to the meeting. Maybe Storm and his uncle would talk some more about Storm’s dad if left alone.

  “If you need me, I’ll be happy to go, but if I’ll just be standing around I’d rather take a hot shower and get out of these clothes.”

  Storm waved her off. “That’s fine. Stay here. I’ll be surprised if anything comes of this. I’m hoping to give them signs of what to look for like unusual animal deaths from someone experimenting before attempting to work on a human.”

  “You think this is a novice?”

  He had a thoughtful expression. “It’s hard to say. The spell was significant, but Bidziil would know if anyone new had settled here. This is like a small town where everyone knows everyone and should notice anything odd if a tribal member has gotten into dark majik recently. If this is the first time practicing on a person, there may be instances of animal deaths ignored as not worth mentioning.”